Direct synthesis of methyl N-phenylcarbamate (MPC) from carbon dioxide (CO<inf>2</inf>), aniline and methanol catalyzed by cerium dioxide (CeO<inf>2</inf>) in the presence of n-butyllithium (BuLi) was developed. The catalytic activity of CeO<inf>2</inf>was significantly improved by the addition of BuLi. The conversion of aniline and the yield of MPC were dependent on the amount of CeO<inf>2</inf>and BuLi, reaction conditions including the pressure of CO<inf>2</inf>, reaction time and temperature, and 9.4% yield of MPC was obtained und...